Epiphyseal Union of Cervical Vertebral Centra as Compared to Those of Thoracic and First Two Lumbar in the Estimation of

Chronological Age at Death in Teenage and Young Adult Skeletons.

The Problem• Sub-Adult age

estimation methods specifically define particular ages, but only go up to 18 years

• Adult age estimation techniques lump individuals between 15 and 24 in one age group

GoalTo develop an age

estimation method for teenagers and young adults that will allow us to more specifically estimate age at death (i.e. distinguish an 18 yr. old from a 23 yr. old, from a 27 yr. old)

ObjectiveThe objective of my

study is to do a comparison of cervical vertebral ring epiphyseal union with thoracic and lumbar with regard to age estimation. 

Are the cervical vertebrae more, less, or similarly variable in regard to accuracy in estimating age using the ring epiphyses of the centra as compared to thoracic  and lumbar?

HypothesisI hypothesize that unions of cervical

vertebrae will correlate less accurately with age at death than those of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.

Although the cervical vertebrae do not differ greatly from the thoracic or lumbar vertebrae, and consequently follow a similar pattern, it is because there are fewer epiphyses that the degree of fusion may not yield an age estimate as precise as one obtained from more epiphyses.

Vertebral Centrum or

Body

Methods. Progress of union will be measured using the

phase system from Albert and Maples 1995

Albert, A. M., and Maples, W. "Stages of Epiphyseal Union for Thoracic and Lumbar Vertebral Centra as a Method of Age Determination for Teenage and Young Adult Skeletons." Journal of Forensic Sciences 40.4 (1995): 623-33. Print.

Phase 0 (No Union)

Billowed Surface

Early stages of union with

noticeable gaps

Presence of line, or groove,

indicates recently complete

union

No evidence of vertebral rings

remaining

Future Plans

I plan to publish my research in the Journal of Forensic Sciences

Additionally, I plan to present this research at the annual conference of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences

Questions?